Extending the availability of Meningitis B vaccine free of charge must be considered – Brassil

Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Primary Care, John Brassil TD has said it’s time to consider making the Meningitis B vaccine free to every child nationwide.

Deputy Brassil was commenting in the wake of the death of three people from the illness in the past three weeks.

He said, “It was a welcome development in 2016 when the lifesaving Meningitis B vaccine was made available free of charge for infants up to the age of 12 months.

“However, for other children there is a cost of some €280 for the two shots required. For a family with several children such a cost could be prohibitive. It could also be life threatening.

“We need to examine what we can do to make it free for all children. The HSE must urgently consider providing it free to children in areas at risk. It’s also critical that the HSE moves to boost the take up rates for all Meningitis vaccines as it has fallen slightly in recent year. These vaccines save lives and it is important that all our children get them.

“A more proactive approach is needed from government given three deaths in the past three weeks,” concluded Deputy Brassil.